Controlling means for automobiles.



PATENTED APR. 30, 1907 H. LEMP. CONTROLLING MEANS FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 14, 1905.

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//Vi//5/V70/-?-' ernvannlle'm q, 3 WM f r yum/5545. Q/ I N0. 851,762. PATENTBD APR. 30, 1907.

H. LEMP.

CONTROLLING MEANS FOR AUTOMOBILE S. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 14, 1905.

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UNITED srnrns Specification of Letters Patent.

Ii-"atentec1 .-.-Lpril SO, 1907.

Application filed June 14, 1905. ilerial No 265,169.

ments in Controlling Means for Automobiles,

of whiclrthe following is a specification.

My invention relates to the control of automobiles of thetype described in my former application, Serial No. 188,958, filed January 14, 1904, which derives its motive power from electric motors supplied with current from a generator driven by a prime mover carried by the vehicle, and contemplates the method of'operation of the vehicle described in my former application, i. e., varying the speed of the engine over wide ranges to vary the speed of'the vehicle. For such a method of control it is sometimes desirable that the controlling lever for the engine should be an ranged so that it will remain in whatever po sition it is placed, but if such an arrangement is used, and if the electric circuit connecting the generator to the motors should he suddenly broken, either by accident or de sign, while the controlling lever for the en glue is in a high-speed position, the engine would race.

My invention consists in so arranging the controlling lever for the engine in a vehicle as described above, that while in normal operation it will remain in the position in which it is placed, it the electric circuit is broken it will return automatically to its lowest speed position.

More specifically stated, my invention consists in the combination with said lever of leans 'for returning it to its lowest speed position, and-means in the electric circuit for holding it in the position in which it is placed.

Still more specifically statcd,,my invention consists in the combination with said lever, of a spring tending to return it to its lowest speed position and a magnetic clutch acting on the lever and having its winding connect ed in the electric circuit:

My invention will best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which V Figure 1 showsa side elevation of an automobile provided with controlling means arranged in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 shows diagrammatically the electric cirwits; and Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the engine controlling lever and the magnetic clutch. i

in Fig. 1, A represents the frame of the vehicle on which is supported the prime mover B, which may be of any well-l nown type. G represents an electric generator driven by the prime mover B and supplying current to the motors M geared to the driving wheels of the vehicle. G represents a controller in the electric circuit. D represents the enginecontrolling lever mounted on the shaft (Z and connected by means of any suitable mechanism to the engine controlling devices. The connecting mechanism shown comprises a crank e, a rod E connected thereto and at the other end connected to a crankj o'n the shaft F. By the movement of the handle i) the shaft F is rocked in its bearings, and this movement may be utilized for controlling the engine in any well-known manner, as by throttling, advancing the spark, etc. ll represents a tension-spring which tends to rcturn the handle D of the engine-controlling device to the lowest speed position.

In Fig. 2 the electric circuits are shown. The generator G is shown connected to the motors M through the controlling switch C, which in this figure is shown arranged to connect the motors inseries and in parallel for either direction of rotation. 'It will be understood that the arrangement of the controlling switch C forms no part of the present invention, and may be arranged in any desired manner. The engine-controlling lever D can ries a plate d, which serves as the armature of a stationary magnetic clutch I, the energizing coil of which, J, shown in Fig. 3, is connected in the generator circuit. When the lever l) is moved to any position, it will be maintained there against the tension of string H by the magnetic friction clutch 1, provided the generator circuit closed, so that the coil 5 is energized. If the generator circnit at any time is broken through accident or design, the coil J is de'cncrgizcd andthe lever Dis returned to the lowest speed position by the spring ii, so that racing of the engine is prevented. designed to have s ui'l'icient friction to hold the lever in whatever position it is placed against the spring tension and yet to offer no undue resistance to the movement of the lever by hand.

I do not desire to limit myself to thepar- The magnetic clutch is ticular construction and arrangement of arts here shown, but aim in the appended c aims tor, means for controlling the speed of the.

prime mover, and means for automatically 'moving said controlling means to its lowest speed position upon an interruption ofthe generator circuit.

2. In a self-propelled vehicle, electric driving motors, a' generator supplying current thereto,'a prime mover driving said enerator, "a lever controlling the speed of sai prime mover, and jrneans operative upon a failure ofgenerator current for returning said lever to its lowest speed position.

. 3. Inaself-propelledvehicle, electric driv- Ing motors, a generator supplying current thereto, a primemover driving said generator, a lever controlling the speed of said primemover, means for returning said lever automatically to ,itslowest speed position,

\and means controlled by the generator ourrent for maintaining said lever in other positions.

4; Ina self-propelled vehicle, electric driving motors, a generator. supplying current thereto, a prime mover driving said generator, a lever controlling the 'speed of said prime mover, a spring for returning said lever to its lowest speed position, and a magnetic clutch having its windin connected in. the generator circuit adapted to maintain said lever in other positions. a

5. In a self-propelled vehicle, electric driving motors, a generator supplying current thereto, a prime mover drivmg said generator, alever controlling the speed of said prime mover, a spring for returning said lever toits lowest speed position, a magnet winding in circuit with the generator, and anarmature for said winding carried by said lever.

6. In a self-propelled vehicle, electric drivmg motors,v a generator supplying current thereto, a prime mover driving said generator, a lever for controlling the speed of the prime mover, a spring for returning said lever to its lowest speed position, and a magnetic clutch having one member stationary and its other member securedto said lever and having its energizing winding connected in the I generator circuit.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this twelfth day of June, 1905.

HERMANN LEMP.

Witnesses:

JOHN A. McMANUs, J r., HENRY 0. WESTENDARP. 

